HP came to CES 2026 with a clear message: Business laptops no longer have to be heavy, boring, or locked into a single platform. New elitebook x g2 The lineup leans strongly into on-device AI, while giving buyers something they rarely get in this segment—real options.
Instead of moving a processor family, HP is offering the EliteBook AMD, Intel, or Qualcomm Snapdragon siliconAs well as both traditional clamshell and convertible designs. It's a flexible approach that fits what modern work really looks like, especially for people who are at their laptops all day.
This flexibility matters more than ever as AI workloads move from the cloud to the device itself.
One Lineup, Three Silicon Paths
sits on top elitebook x g2qPowered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Plus or X2 Elite chips. Pushes up to flagship configuration 85 tops of NPU performanceThat makes it one of the most capable CoPilot+ PCs ever announced. HP has paired the silicon with a 14-inch 3K OLED display (optional 120Hz VRR), up to 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and up to 2TB of PCIe storage.
For users who prefer x86 compatibility, HP is not making any compromises.
elitebook x g2i Runs on Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 processors up to 50 tops AI performance while keeping weight impressively low. Entry-level configurations fall under 1 kgWhich is remarkable for a full-featured business laptop with this kind of performance headroom. Display, memory and storage options reflect the Snapdragon model, keeping the decision focused on platform priority rather than feature trade-offs.
then there is elitebookAMD's Ryzen AI 9 is built around the HX Pro 470 55 tops In terms of NPU performance, it's between Intel and Qualcomm in raw AI capability, while maintaining AMD's strengths in sustained performance and compatibility. Again, HP keeps the rest of the configurations consistent across the lineup, which makes the purchasing decision simpler.
convertible option without agreement
HP is also expanding the lineup elitebook x flip g2iA convertible version of the Intel model. The Flip variant supports laptop, tent, stand and tablet modes, with a detachable display that transforms the device into a standalone tablet when needed.
What stands out is that the flip doesn't feel like an afterthought. Specifications are in line with the standard G2i, meaning users won't have to sacrifice performance just to gain flexibility. It is still not offered in enterprise hardware.
Built for the long term, not just for demos
On paper, the EliteBook looks good but what matters more is whether these machines can actually handle continuous work.
This is where HP has quietly earned some credibility.
I've been using an HP notebook as my primary work machine for almost as long A Year and a HalfAnd it has been pushed hard-12+ hour workdayConstant multitasking, heavy browser workloads, writing, research and background apps running non-stop. What still amazes me is how well such a compact machine works under that kind of pressure.
Thermals remain under control, performance doesn't degrade after a few hours, and the system hasn't developed the sluggishness that often plagues thin and light laptops over time. It's easy to overlook real-world endurance at events like CES, but that's what makes designs like the EliteBook X G2 series attractive. These aren't just thin for marketing slides; They are built to survive long, repetitive workdays.
A better direction for business laptops
EliteBook Instead of forcing everyone onto a single platform, HP is acknowledging that different users value different things — ARM efficiency, Intel compatibility, or AMD performance balance — and allowing them to choose without penalty.
Availability is staggered. HP says Intel-powered EliteBook X G2i and Flip G2i Should come in initially selected configuration February 2026When AMD G2a and Snapdragon G2q Models are expected to arrive later in the spring. The price has not been announced yet.
HP also used CES to tease other hardware, including the new OmniBook Ultra 14 and its unusual keyboard PC, but the EliteBook
If these machines deliver real-world use like HP's recent notebooks, this lineup could set a new baseline for what “lightweight business laptop” really means in the AI age.
